by Anna E | Jul 12, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
So here I am sitting on my bedroom floor, back in Mississippi after a long day of traveling. My suitcase is not unpacked, my parents are trying desperately to keep their excitement of me being home in check (it’s still very obvious of course), and I can’t seem to make...
by Elizabeth P | Jul 12, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
I’m entering my third week in Italy, and I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown! My roommate pointed out today that we really have done so much in so little time. Last week, we visited a 500-year-old Tuscan villa that is still used for events and...
by Julia T | Jul 12, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Returning home was something that I did not think much about while I was abroad because I was constantly on the move and experiencing new things. Sure, I would talk to family and friends from home and they would tell me how much they missed me and how they...
by Courtney M | Jul 1, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Thoughts and Feelings – When it was time to leave my host family, I woke up early and started off the morning packing then waited as the house came alive. I remember my host brother, Alex, coming in my room and saying, “You are one of the students that I...
by Liddy D | Jul 1, 2016 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer
Eating Abroad One of the things you’ll find that you’ll miss the most from home about studying abroad will probably be eating your favorite foods. This problem also happens when you come back to your home country, and you’ll find that you miss foods...
by Anna E | Jun 30, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
We are now coming to the end of our time here in Tours, France and I cannot believe what an incredible time we have had here this past month. We have been challenged by school, amazed by sights, and enjoyed being apart of the day to day routine of a new city and...
by Austin P | Jun 29, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
I wanted to study abroad because I have only ever been in the United States and have never been submerged in a different culture before. The key things that I considered when choosing a study abroad program were: the cost, the classes, and the duration. UA in Spain...
by Zoe G | Jun 29, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
Now that I have made it back home all safe and sound, I am very appreciative of the the air conditioning here but sad that I had to leave such wonderful country. It was so nice to leave my bustling, fast-paced lifestyle in the US and slow down to appreciate the...
by Grace V | Jun 29, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
I have been home a month now. People always told me it would be just as difficult to adjust upon return home as it was upon arrival in a new place. Maybe for some that holds true, but I think I was just so ready to come home that I adjusted with ease. My sleep...
by Madison K | Jun 28, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
What was supposed to happen: getting on board a flight from Atlanta to Charlotte, North Carolina, having an hour layover there, and then getting on board an overnight flight to Dublin Ireland. What is currently happening: writing a blog post after a transfer from the...
by John E | Jun 28, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
By more than a few strokes of luck and some financial assistance, I have found myself waiting to leave on a flight to Dublin tomorrow. UA’s program in Ireland ended up as my choice for study abroad for several reasons, among them being able to keep my job...
by Grace V | Jun 28, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Is this real life? I think I might be dreaming. *pinch*.. Nope this is real… Before: Excitement and fear brewed inside me in the days leading up to my departure. People would ask, “Are you excited?” I usually responded with “Very!” but I...
by Caroline W | Jun 24, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
I have been in Granada, Nicaragua for a couple of days and I love it! At times I might complain about the heat (okay probably more often than I’m willing to admit), but the kindness and compassion of the people makes it worth it. My host mom is a 73 year old woman who...
by Danielle K | Jun 24, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
My first thoughts as I got off the plane in Huston after spending two weeks in Nicaragua were nothing as poignant as I might have expected. As the plane hit the tarmac there was an initial sense of relief about being home in the United States, but this was almost...
by Zoe G | Jun 24, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
After a week in Granada, it feels like a second home. Aside for the heat and lack of running water in the morning, I could stay here indefinitely. It took a while to get used to the lack of air conditioning but now I have just embraced being hot all the time. I do not...
by Julia T | Jun 23, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Before this trip abroad I studied Italian for four years in high school and for three semesters at Alabama. Italian has always come to me pretty easily so I didn’t expect it to be any different while taking classes in Italy. I was wrong. It’s not even that...
by Caroline W | Jun 23, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
Granada, Nicaragua looks gorgeous in any pictures I have googled, but I am still unsure what to expect when I get there. I know the buildings are painted in bright colors and air conditioning is nonexistent (cannot wait for 100 degree temperatures), but that is it. I...
by Liddy D | Jun 22, 2016 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Community Health Sciences, Faculty-Led, Human Environmental Sciences, Summer
Today is my first day in Ghana! After over 24 hours of plane rides and layovers and 3 flights, we made it. I’m excited to spend the next month in Elmina, and to explore Accra and other towns and villages. My first impressions of here are that Accra is a very...
by Zoe N | Jun 21, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
The first week of Dr. Steinberg’s summer class “Rainforests, Reefs, and Ruins” was spent in the Toledo District. From there, we traveled to various locations to learn about Belize and participate in conservation activities. On the seventh day, we said goodbye to Punta...
by Abigail Ward | Jun 20, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
I cannot believe that I am finally on my way to Honduras. I spent so much time getting ready for this moment and am so excited to finally be headed there. The process getting to this point was full of anticipation, excitement, and fear. I have been wanting to study...
